Ontario Soccer, in consultation with Canada Soccer and the Government of Ontario, continues to monitor the most recent developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the resulting public health crisis and Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Plan.
Today the Government of Ontario announced that Peel Public Health and Toronto Public Health will be moving to Stage 3 of the regional re-opening of the economy, starting Friday, July 31, 2020.
Ontario Soccer previously announced that Phase 2 of the Ontario Soccer Return to Play Plan has commenced for approved PHU’s across the province.
According to the Government of Ontario, the following Public Health Units can move to Stage 3 of the province’s plan for the re-opening of the economy. The Regions associated with these new PHU’s can move to Phase 2 of Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Plan. The new PHU’s are bolded:
PLEASE NOTE: The Government of Ontario allows Municipalities and individual Public Health Units to determine the application of the Emergency Orders as they deem necessary. Ontario Soccer members are encouraged to contact their Municipalities or Public Health Units to learn more.
The Windsor-Essex County Public Health Unit is not yet approved by the Government of Ontario for Stage 3 and therefore remains in Phase 1 of the Ontario Soccer Return to Play Plans. The Government of Ontario has indicated that additional time is required to assess and approve this Public Health Unit.
Member Districts, Clubs and Academies are responsible for determining which Public Health Unit their District boundaries reside in.
Ontario Soccer has reviewed the announcement and how it impacts the Ontario Soccer Return to Play Plan with Canada Soccer and the relevant Government authorities.
Organizations, which have already completed the Return to Play protocols, or have already begun Phase 1 of Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Plan, may now move to Phase 2 when they are ready to do so and their Public Health Unit is approved by the Government of Ontario.
There have been several updates to Phase 2, based on the Government of Ontario’s recent announcement.
Please refer to the updated Return to Play Guide for specifics on health and safety protocols and recommendations as part of Ontario Soccer’s Phase 2 of Return to Play.
Organizations which have not yet completed the Return to Play protocols, must complete the following three (3) critical sport specific steps, prior to commencing soccer activity in Phase 2.
Once complete organizations may move to Phase 2 when they are ready to do so.
The following critical sport specific steps, which your organization must complete, are as follows:
Organizations which have not yet received the Canada Soccer Risk Assessment Tool, should contact Patty Forbes, Director, Administrator for access.
The Ontario Soccer Return to Play Guide/Plan details the specifics for Phase 2:
Phase 2: Return to Training and Modified Games (enhanced training & modified games)
Conditions: All Phase 2 Return to Train conditions are met
Inter-squad modified games permitted (only within the Club/Academy)
Restrictions: No league, exhibition, festival or tournament games
The phase outlined above apply equally to all recreational, competitive and high performance level soccer.
For further questions, please refer to the latest bulletins on the COVID-19 Updates page, which has all the latest information from Ontario Soccer, as well as resources for your members. Please consider placing a dedicated link to the COVID-19 Updates on the homepage on your website.
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If you have any questions, please contact Patty Forbes, Director of Administration.
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